“As a teacher, I never believed in evaluating kids based on a single test score,” he said. “Teachers use multiple measures in the classroom and they communicate that information to parents.”

In Sacramento, State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Torlakson said: “It is time for a clean break from assessments that are out of date and out of sync with the work our schools are doing to shift to the Common Core and help students meet the challenges of a changing world. It is simply wrong to expect schools to prepare our students for the future while continuing to ask them to use tests that are products of the past.”

But some people expressed concern that the legislation would allow schools to dodge accountability on student performance, which they said is especially critical for students with disabilities and those not fluent in English.

Critics also worry about the state burdening districts with the cost of comprehensive standardized testing this academic year because it would cover only the expense of field testing students in math or English. Districts have the option of administering the outgoing STAR tests, which cover a wider range of topics, but at their own expense.

California is ignoring its moral responsibility and legal obligation to report on the progress of its schools and students, said Arun Ramanathan, executive director of the nonprofit group Education Trust–West.

“Parents want to know how their kids are doing. The public relies on this information and shouldn’t have to go a year or more without it — that is irresponsible,” Ramanathan said. “If California decides to flout the law, what are the consequences?”

Los Angeles Unified schools chief John Deasy, who initially backed the legislation, now opposes it because he said the measure would cost his district $1.7 million to fully test students in the spring.

The governor and other supporters of the overhaul said they will work to resolve any differences with the federal government.

“We support the legislation. California will continue to focus on the new and rigorous Common Core standards,” said Jim Evans, a spokesman for Brown. “There is no reason to double-test students using outdated, ineffective standards disconnected from what’s taught in the classroom.”

Over the years, schools in San Diego County and statewide had shown steady improvement on STAR test scores. Then most experienced a plateau or decline in the spring. Education officials said primary factors were budget challenges caused by the state’s fiscal crisis and campuses starting to focus on Common Core instead of the STAR system.